Use the drop-down tool to select whether the scenario involves a doctor breaking the law or violating an ethical standard.
A doctor gives out confidential patient health information to friends at a dinner party.
A doctor withholds information from a patient about the patient's health because he is worried about how
the patient might react.

the answer to the question is punishment. or more specifically, positive punishment.

positive punishment occurs when a behavior is given a negative consequence for the individual doing the behavior.

sara no longer wants to ask questions (the behavior) because she is ridiculed by mr. smith (the punishment).

reinforcement is inaccurate because reinforcement always gives positive consequences for the individual doing the behavior, be it by introducing a pleasant consequence or removing an unpleasant one.